Method for loading a green tyre for bicycle in a vulcanisation mould and apparatus for moulding and vulcanising

A method for loading a green tyre for a bicycle in a vulcanisation mould, comprising:

• picking up the green tyre and hanging the green tyre by a gripping device defining a gripping axis (Z);
• aligning the gripping device, which holds the green tyre, up to a geometric axis of rotation (X) of the green tyre with a reference axis (K) of a central body of the vulcanisation mould;
• arranging the green tyre in a radially outer position with respect to the central body of the vulcanisation mould;
• axially positioning the green tyre with respect to the central body, wherein an axial centreline plane (M) of the green tyre is arranged at an axial reference arranged at a predetermined height along the reference axis (K) of the central body;
• exerting a thrust action by the central body, wherein the thrust action is directed radially outwards on a radially inner surface of the green tyre;
• keeping the green tyre in position on the central body by the thrust action;
• and
• disengaging the gripping device from the green tyre to release the green tyre on the central body with the axial centreline plane (M) centred and positioned in an axial position corresponding to the predetermined height,
• wherein picking up the green tyre comprises activating at least one gripping area of a gripping sector of the gripping device against a radially outer surface of the green tyre, and the gripping device retains the green tyre from the exterior;
• and
• wherein activating the gripping area against the radially outer surface of the green tyre comprises exerting an attraction force (A) on the radially outer surface of the green tyre moving away from the geometric axis of rotation (X).